GOOD LUCK, MANNY!
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Dec 2012
During the first encounter on May 8, 2004, Pacquiao landed 148 total punches out of the 639 thrown for a 23% accuracy. While Marquez hit the target more precisely with 158 connections out of 547 total punches released for a 29% rate. In power punches landed, Marquez outpointed Pacquiao 122-100. But Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round. The bout was declared a split draw.
In the second fight on March 15, 2008, Marquez outpunched Pacquiao again, 172-157 in total punches and 130-114 in power punches. ?Dinamita? was also more accurate in delivering his blows at 34% as against the 25% of ?Pacman.? But Marquez was knocked down in the third round by a left hook from the Filipino boxing icon, resulting in Pacquiao winning by split decision.
In the third showdown on November 12, 2011, it was Pacquiao?s turn to lead in the punchstats, 176-138 in total punches landed and 130-114 in power punches connected. Marquez has a slight advantage in accuracy at 32% as compared to Pacquiao?s 30% in total punches. Pacquiao got the nod of the judges winning by majority decision, although there was no knockdown in the fight.
But Marquez's track record shows he never lost by KO or TKO. He has the ability to get up and fight like a wounded tiger after he went down. He has superb body condition that he prepares every Pacquiao encounter like going to war.
Pacquiao on the other hand got rid of all distractions ? vices, politics, business and preaching. In his third fight with Marquez, he triumphed over a lot of these problems. Against Timothy Bradley he won convincingly except for the eyes of the judges. During his training camp, he knocked down four sparring partners.
Marquez also released a video knocking a sparring partner down. But his body has built up more muscle that could slow him down. He focuses on one target only ? to beat Pacquiao ? and this could be done by convincing the judges or knocking him out.
But father time may catch up one of the greatest Mexican boxers. Six years in age gap between the two ageing warriors will finally take its toll, especially if you approach the age of 40. Marquez is 39 while Pacquiao is 33 with about the same number of fights.
CompuBox punchstats could reveal the scientific evidence of a more active Pacquiao in the third encounter. Pacquiao throws more total punches than Marquez (578-436), more jabs (304-182) and power punches (274-254). Marquez fans claimed their fighter scored the most telling blows and punchstats could not be a basis for judging the bout.
The judges however saw a more vigorous ?Pacman? in the third faceoff. Decisions kept improving every bout, in favor of the Boxer of the Decade. From split draw to split decision to majority decision. But no matter how tough Pacquiao?s punches are, Marquez is always there to counter punch. At his age, he will still be physically powerful albeit sluggish.
A Pacquiao success is what the country needs to rise from grief, especially for his typhoon-stricken fellow Mindanaoans. The whole country will have its eyes focus on television and almost everybody will stop to witness the Philippines? greatest fighter of all time in action. Gymnasiums, moviehouses, restaurants, social halls, and residential houses will be filled with Pacfans united to cheer for our idol facing his toughest foe in boxing.
Some of us Filipinos criticize Manny for not focusing on his boxing career. We condemn him for indulging in so many activities that could distract his fistfight passion. That?s because we love Manny Pacquiao as the icon of Filipino world supremacy. He is the symbol of our country?s struggle for international recognition. He is the National Fist and our most priceless sports treasure.
We certainly want to see Pacquiao win over Marquez. This writer predicts a Pacquiao victory by unanimous decision. But a KO victory would be the best Christmas gift for us Filipinos.
Good luck Manny! God bless!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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